The Bliss Blog

Re-creating Your Life Archives

For much of my life, I have resisted struggling. I know that sounds weird, since on some level, resistance IS struggle. Efforting. Pushing against what is, rather than accepting it. I have often denied that some things are just plain […]

Yesterday, I saw a meme on Facebook that showed a woman sitting up in bed, yelling out to no one in particular “Somebody pamper me!” and then in the next block, she realizes “Oh yeah. I forgot. I’m a strong, […]

“Meditatively enlivened,” were the words that repeated themselves in my mind throughout the third session of Facial Reflex Therapy created by Lone Sorensen in which I was engaged, offered by Deva/ Debra Troy. I knew immediately what that meant, since I […]

My friend, author, therapist and philosopher Jeff Brown has a bunch of wisdom to offer; born of both pain and pleasure. He spins out word fusions and mental meanderings like only few I have ever seen. Today was no exception. He […]

I have wise friends. Two of them started a thread on Facebook that was a writing prompt which lead to this article: Loreen posed this prose: “Too much time planning this life when eternity waits. Hmnn, I think our perspective is […]

This morning, I heard this Jackson Browne classic called The Fuse that was the perfect prelude to an interview I had with Beth Long who is the editor of Doylestown Hospital’s news letter. She and I had last had a sit […]

Packed and ready to return home following a week in Hilton Head, SC with my friends Barb and Glenn. Feeling refreshed and revitalized. Like most vacations, it began ages ago and was over in the blink of an eye. In […]

On vacation for the week and while shopping in Hilton Head, I saw a t-shirt that read “Lifeguard off duty. Save yourself”. I laughed as I purchased it for someone at home. I was tempted to get another one for myself, […]

What is it like for a high school student in the 1970’s to discover she is pregnant as a result of unprotected sex with her sweetheart who then hides the truth from her family and friends until it is too […]

Yes, it really is a thing and it is today. Here in the United States, home to many grumpy people, a created holiday is celebrated ….if you can use that word, to glorify what is defined as “a person who […]

Having just returned from a workshop called Fearless Relating, facilitated by my friends Reid Mihalko and Monique Darling, I am awhirl with all kinds of ideas and awash in emotion. In the re-entry process, I am integrating what feels like […]

Rolling the clock back to the spring of 2005 and I find myself in the 5th floor walk up apartment in Manhattan of Reid Mihalko and Marcia Baczynski. Surrounded by blankets, pillows and pj clad strangers, save my brave friend […]

This morning, I was reading a newsletter sent by my friend Kurt Koontz. In it he was described his latest adventures in the Big Apple. He had taken a few forays to the 9/11 memorial and was deeply moved by […]

Writing this from my cozy bed, after an ordeal in the wee hours of this morning, that could have been prevented by listening to my wise mind, instead of my “I want that yummy and decadent treat, because it has […]

“No’ is one of the shortest words in the English language and one of the most difficult to say for some people, unless the person happens to be two years old and then it might well one of their most […]

What if you could invite three angels into your home who would accompany you through your days, assisting you in having, as I like to refer to it, a ‘rich, full, juicy life’? Would you issue a call and then keep the […]

I awoke in the wee hours this morning, from a dream about my parents. Both passed in the last few years; my dad in 2008 and my mom in 2010. They were the dearest people in my life; teachers, guides, […]

Every day, people turn their minds and hearts to prayer for themselves and others. Regardless of spiritual orientation or faith tradition, it becomes a lifeline to the God of their understanding. We humans are born, live, have experiences; some joyful, […]

As I awoke this morning, I was reminded that today is called Go Red for Women Day that focuses on the importance of heart health awareness. The symbol of the event is a red dress. Like the pink ribbon […]

As I was sitting with a client today, we were speaking about the transformations she wanted to take place in her life. Since this was our initial session, she outlined many of them that would enhance her day to day experiences. […]

I was listening to Marty Moss Coane’s interview on Radio Times on NPR this morning with David Peters, a former military chaplain who served in Iraq and returned with PTSD that he attempted to self medicate away with alcohol and […]

Imagine having your own personal cheerleader who enthusiastically reminds you that you are gorgeous, worthy, creative, brilliant and loveable. Would you believe her? Would you say “Who are you kidding? I’m overweight, under-paid, over worked and under-played.” Jenny G. Perry […]

One of the most essential questions you can ask yourself, is the one presented in the title of this article. We have a choice to experience an existence that takes us from the day of our birth to the […]

I had long believed and expressed that sleep was highly over-rated whenever someone would ask how I managed to maintain what I called a ‘crazy-busy’ schedule that included a full time job, several over-lapping consulting jobs, raising a […]

Yesterday I received a surprise in the mail. It was a tiny pocket sized book called Back To Joy that was compiled by author June Cotner. It contains tidbits of wisdom from the likes of Anne Lamott, John Welwood, […]

The Japanese concept of Wabi Sabi is defined in Wikipedia as: ” A comprehensive Japanese world view or aesthetic centered on the acceptance of transience and imperfection. The aesthetic is sometimes described as one of beauty that is “imperfect, impermanent, […]

As I was speaking with a client today, we were discussing ways that people learn who they are and how they re-create themselves when major life changes occur. I remembered a scene from one of my favorite films: Joe vs. […]

This morning, I am listening to my favorite radio station, WXPN in Philadelphia, while tip tapping away at the keyboard. Two of my beloved activities. Sipping ginger tea to soothe a wee bit of a sore throat. In a few […]

I love sunflowers. Not only are they big and bright, but they have a particular talent that I admire. It’s called heliotropism and it translates to ‘sun tracking’. In other words, it means that they follow the sun. When I […]

For the last few decades, the idea has been swirling about that the average adult has 50,000-70,000 thoughts a day running through our heads. For some of us, it may be even more. I would venture that my brain chatters […]

I have long believed that prayer is portable. It is too expansive to be uttered only in an edifice such as a church, synagogue, temple, mosque or oak grove. It is not limited to one language or ritual; neither is one religion’s form […]

I am writing this entry on December 30th. At this time tomorrow, I will be ushering in the New Year with festive friends, who I am grateful to know. Music, dancing, drumming, food, hugs, smooches and general celebratory silliness […]

“This is the year I stop pressing my nose up against the glass, wishing for another life. This is the year I love with banshee strength. This is a year without fear.“-Tama Kieves These are the some of the opening […]

Yesterday, in this part of the world, we honored the Winter Solstice which heralds the shortest day/longest night of the year. My annual experience brings me back around to the home of my friends Deva and Stan Troy where we […]

Lounging in bed, surrounded by lots of pillows and snuggled under quilts as I am typing these words. It is a drowsy, dozy Sunday morning. The radio is playing easing into my day tunes. My standard weekend fare begins with […]

Last night, I attended a holiday gathering for a group of talented artists, writers, publishers, radio hosts, producers, as well as PR and marketing folks. Needless to say, I was in my idea of heaven. The Center City Philadelphia Restaurant […]

Like many of us, I exist on the surface of life at times. Skating on the frozen pond, yet knowing that beneath the shiny façade of the ice lies fathom deep waters. I try not to think about it, since […]

How often do you ask yourself ‘what if and if only’ questions? “What if I had chosen a different path, partner, career, home? Bet I’d be happier if I had,” is the frequent litany for many. We get fidgety […]

Most Sundays find me at Circle of Miracles, which is an interfaith spiritual community created 19 years ago by Rev. Hannelore Goodwin. It is where I, and many who attend the ecumenical services, find family of choice, inspiration, community and […]

Yesterday, I did a mini-workshop at Awaken Healing Expo and offered BLISS Coaching; both designed to empower people to live the lives of their dreams and desires. Already pretty tired from early awakening myself that morning, before the sun was […]

I am a Libra, born October 13th and have found that balance is an essential ingredient in my wellness cookbook. Some work, some play, some rest. Time with friends and family, time in solitude. Time to dance and sing, time to […]

Filled with gratitude this morning for one of the greatest gifts in this or any lifetime…..friendship. I have always been blessed with sweet and supportive souls who mostly get my quirky ways of being and my sometimes outrageous and colorful […]

I love cooperation and what is colloquially referred to these days as ‘Joint Ventures’. I was tapped to be part of an online event called Own Your Awesome with 12 other movers and shakers. We each had a 30 minute […]

When you think of the two words ‘warrior’ and ‘Goddess’, what image comes to mind? Possibly Bast, Athena, Durga, Freya or Kali- battle ready, sword wielding, bloody tongued, vanquishing enemies. What if being both means standing your ground, […]

It’s Halloween as I am writing this. I just washed off the silver makeup, glitter and red lipstick that covered my face for a few hours when I was out and about tonight. My newly dyed hair is Manic Panic […]

Making the rounds on Facebook today: “Everything you are going through is preparing you for what you asked for.” Another one of those inscrutable statements that can be interpreted in various ways. My take is that it isn’t blaming as much […]

I saw a post on Facebook this morning: “If someone shows you their true colors, don’t try to repaint them.” This lesson has long been with me. It has been at the core of many co-dependent and dysfunctional relationships/friendships throughout […]

‘To be witnessed and embraced for all that we are; the good, bad and ugly; as striving human beings daring to reach for the stars, is a gift beyond measure.” These words came to me as I was writing a chapter […]

I attended a workshop this afternoon that was facilitated by an old friend that I had not actually met hug to hug until today. Her name is Ambika Devi, author of the cosmic journey called Lilith which combines historical teachings, powerful […]

What did we ever do before the Phenom of Facebook? It is where people turn for companionship and to relieve boredom. To learn what is happening in the world, without watching the news. It serves the purpose of entertainment and […]

I had a revelationary thought today as I recognized that for much of my adult life, I have done things for the benefit of others first and foremost, or to please someone so as to gain or not lose love […]

The calendar has all kinds of quirky holidays and the block that is set aside for the second Tuesday in October is National Face Your Fears Day. This year, it occurs on October 14th. Oh, that’s today! What if we […]

Tomorrow is my 56th birthday. Never in a million years, would I have imagined a life as mine is now…and yet, I obviously co-created it with the Divine. S/he and I have all kinds of conversations thinking up sometimes absurd […]

I have been sitting with a thought expressed by a new friend who has been doing cardiac care education since her own ‘heart opening’ experience 4 years ago. She shared that when someone has a heart attack, trauma has occurred in the […]

I had the joy of having a pre-birthday lunch today with my longtime friend Natalie Kaye who is both a peacemaker and mover and shaker. We figure we have known each other since the early 1990’s, having met at a local […]

In the car today, which is where I sometimes do some of my best thinking, I was considering why one of my intentions/goals is to interview Oprah and Ellen (not just be interviewed BY them). I attempted to justify my desire […]

This being a writer brings with it a penchant for word mash-ups and unique configurations. Many in my life share that talent. Yesterday while perusing Facebook, I noticed a term coined by a fellow wordsmith Shawn Allen. He was commenting […]

As Jews all over the world approach the High Holy Days, we are called upon to face ourselves in a metaphorical mirror and take stock of our lives in the past year. The image isn’t always pretty, but it is real. As […]

Today I entered a world filled to the brim with color and texture, light and sound, love and laughter. A place where I could transform whimsical ideas into tangible objects. My friend Renee Bures is an art therapist who […]

Wise people are everywhere. Today I met a wise woman while waiting to see my cardiologist. She was the receptionist who greeted me from behind her sliding glass (slid open, of course) window. When she asked how I was doing […]

Yesterday, in the midst of a radio interview with Kerri Kannan, I was asked a question about vulnerability. It is a topic that has become as familiar as the fingers typing these words. I was awakened to it when […]

This morning, I joined two dear friends for brunch at Mal’s Diner in Skippack, PA. After a heart-healthy workout in cardiac rehab, I had a heart- happy meal of egg whites, spinach (no cheese), fresh fruit instead of home fries […]

This morning marks 3 months since I experienced the kind of pain that cracks you open and has you revealing the emotional viscera that had long lay dormant. Literally at this moment, I was captured by the symptoms of a […]

As I was on my daily walk today, decked out in my navy blue t-shirt with the word TRANSFORM scripted on the front of it, it occurred to me that if I want to transform any aspect of my life, there are […]

Yesterday was brought to me by the letter ‘S’ for surrender. At cardiac rehab in the morning, I blasted out a whole bunch of energy on the elliptical and treadmill, so that by the time I got to the recumbent bicycle, […]

I am coming to recognize another persona that I am calling ‘Perfectionista’. She is polished and professional, sweet, kind and caring, loving and compassionate, creative and fun, positive and intuitive, reliable and responsible, intelligent and articulate. So, you might ask, “What’s wrong with […]

While speaking with someone today, I asked him what he wanted in life. He shrugged as he usually does and told me he didn’t know. I then inquired about his favorite restaurant and he replied that he and his family like to eat […]

Listening to a song I first heard a few years ago during a reception for a couple whose wedding I had officiated. Youssou Ndour and Peter Gabriel rocked the joint with their song called Shaking The Tree. It wasn’t until […]

Last night I watched one of my favorite movies that debuted in 1980. Resurrection starred Ellen Burstyn, Sam Shepard, Eva Le Galliene, Richard Farnsworth and Roberts Blossom. It is the story of Edna Mae McCauley, who in the […]

As I am in the middle of the fifth decade of my life, the world has become a patchwork quilt of experiences. In the last 55 years, I have splashed in puddles of joy and gasped for air while feeling […]

When you consider all of the things that you desire; from relationships to abundance, from faith to freedom, from possessions to passion, how do you hold them? What I mean by that is this: do you hold them with […]

On Saturday, I began my day in retrospective musing. Listening to Ellis Paul singing Dragonfly on Sleepy Hollow to greet the sun. Was reading earlier entries down my time line on Facebook and marveled at how far I have come […]

Today at a staff meeting for my talented team of co-workers at my new job for Elements Behavioral Health, our CEO- Dr. David Sack did a dazzling presentation, complete with Power Point. The topic? Dog poop. He shared the story […]

Lately, I have been pondering this conundrum: Why do people make violence acceptable? I see so many photos and videos of people hurting animals and people, images of abuse that whoever shot the films somehow think is cool. I understand […]

A few days have passed since the world heard the devastating news that someone who entered their lives and lodged in their hearts (even if they never met face to face), had succumbed to the depression that had […]

I have been pensive lately for many reasons. The first is that I am still in relatively new life renewal mode. Two months ago, I was lying in a hospital bed with all manner of accutrement attached to my […]

” Ya gotta have friends.” So go the lyrics to Friends sung by the Divalicious Bette Midler. To my way of thinking, every day is one in which I celebrate friendship. According to the United Nations, July 30th […]

I have been following a thread on a group Facebook page for The Good Men Project that was prompted by a video I had posted that showed a young woman being harassed by two young men while she was walking home […]

Photo credit: Alex Lowy I am open to miracles wherever they appear. Sometimes they show up in the form of a man with a buzz cut, decked out in a white suit and sneakers, toting a well worn suitcase, […]

Lately I have been rolling through my mind thoughts about origin of violence in the world. I saw a video recently in which Whoopie Goldberg was explaining a statement she had made that it was okay for a […]

Another one of those wee hours wake-ups when life beckons me to the keyboard to type what I may not be able to experience emotionally. I came upon the words of Panache Desai, author and spiritual teacher who I […]

Had an insight today that had me laughing at the perfect absurdity while speaking with my friend Gail Lynne Goodwin from Inspire Me Today. She had called to offer loving support with the roller coaster ride that has been my […]

Since I don’t have a television, the only times I watch are at the gym, at other people’s homes or (as I am doing right now), in the hospital. Propped up in bed with yet another health challenge. A […]

Lately, I have been more acutely aware of the connection between the cardiac muscle that keeps blood pumping through my body and sustains this corporeal existence and the emotional center that has made my thus far, more than 55 […]

When you look in the mirror, who do you see? Not ‘what do you see”? Go beyond appearance….way beyond…go inward. What does this person think, feel, say and do? Does that contribute to the makeup of their identity? Perhaps. […]

What a difference a month makes! When I awoke on June 12th, I had no idea that I would be indeed be experiencing an awakening unlike anything I had ever known. Going through my normal routine, planning my day […]

Humans are full sensory beings and from the moment of our birth, we have access to sights, sounds, tastes, smells and feelings (emotional and physical). Babies explore the world with all they’ve got. Input is essential in order for […]

It amazes me the way the Universe works. I have long believed that I needed to bust my butt for everything I have achieved. I thought I needed to persist and pursue, to constantly seed plant to assure a bountiful […]

Late last night, I was perusing dog eared pages with rounded, scrawly letters inscribed in blue, black, iridescent pink and in some cases, penciled markings that reflected the mind of a 20 something young woman in college and […]

I heard the news today about the passing of an icon in the Jewish community, whose reach exceeded ‘the tribe’ into which he was born. An emissary of peace, an interfaith advocate and a fellow ‘Holy Rascal’, Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi took […]

Every day a new beginning. Obvious enough thought, but how many of us actually embrace that concept? If we are accustomed to routine, we may get up, get ready for work, breakfast, prepping for the commute to our place of […]

Saw a declaration today with the words Stop the Glorification of Busyemblazoned on it. This wasn’t the first time I noticed that instruction, but it was indeed the first time I really took heed, since they were the perfect description of […]

When I was a kid, I wasn’t a happy napper, since I was afraid I would miss something. I kept myself entertained with toys and books, maybe talking or singing to myself. I was a good car sleeper, since […]

In the realm of when life throws you a curve ball…..duck! I went back to work yesterday, saw clients in an addictions counseling program where I have worked for nearly the past two years, came home with the intention […]

Feeling a bit like a newborn today. Up a lot last night, sleeping fitfully. Uncertain as I enter into my greatly modified routine; starting to see clients again today. I feel too like I imagine I did on my second […]

If circumstances were different, I would be dancing into a Solstice celebration tonight. I was invited to three events that all involve music, fun, friends, food and a tribal welcoming in of the longest day of the year that […]

In his international Best Seller The Four Agreements author don Miguel Ruiz shares this life guidance. “Be Impeccable With Your Word. Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to […]

As if by Divine invitation (what other type is there?), I received a phone call just now from my dear friend Dr. Murray Needleman. I was thinking about him this morning, so naturally, he called. I have known Murray […]

I imagine you have heard someone utter these words or likely even said them yourself: “Today just isn’t my day.” Whenever those sounds would pass through my ears, my immediate thought (and I have said this to people) was “Well, I […]

This morning, I saw a short video clip called A Love Letter To The World and was delighted with the message it shared. So inspired that I decided to write my own. It also brought to mind the famous […]

In preparation for an interview I am doing next week with author and Unity Minister, Justin Epstein for my radio show It’s All About Relationships, I found myself diving into the book Super You with what I imagine has intentionally designed […]

Aretha had it right when she sang that classic song written by Otis Redding. We all desire to be respected for who we are and although we want to receive it from others, it begins within. Take a look at […]

“Imagine if you loved your life into existence!”- Lee Richard McCormick When I saw these wise words this morning, an uh huh, of course, no brainer smile spread across my face. What else could we do, but that? So […]

Sometimes I wonder how it is that people develop spiritual amnesia and forget this about themselves. Was there ever a baby born that wasn’t adored by someone and viewed as precious and worthy of love and care? I work […]

There are times when it seems that life simply flows into place. Illusion or reality? Who knows? Ease and grace or a product of our endeavors? Could be a bit of each. This winter was particularly rough. Here in […]

When I was a kid, there was an adage, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me.” It was a well meaning piece of guidance so that we could slough off harsh words, cast about […]

When I saw this meme shortly after awakening this morning, I came smack dab up against all of the expectations I have for myself. Many’s the day when I have held the mirror to my face and fully claimed […]

Just got back from a weekend retreat, not very far from where I live in suburban Bucks County, PA about an hour outside of Philadelphia. It drew women from all over the country and from Canada as we celebrated the Divine […]

Do you ever wonder how much of your life happens at random and how much ‘by divine design’. What if you could wish your life into the form that would most delight you? Many people would laugh at such a […]

I had to giggle when I saw this meme, created by Theresa Byrne, another contributor to The Good Men Project, since it was sucked right out of my spinning mind. Many’s the time I have petulantly pouted about the way life […]

Recently I was speaking with someone about the things that weigh us down, like a hot air balloon tethered to the ground with heavy rope, spiked into the dirt, sandbags reinforcing them. Self deprecation, limiting beliefs, old worn out ideas […]

I awoke early this morning after being in bed most of the day yesterday with the “I don’t feel like getting out of my pj’s chant (not blues:)” rambling through my brain. On top of that, I was experiencing […]

I saw this meme while perusing Facebook this morning and was puzzled by the question that accompanied it: “Which would you rather do?” The obvious answer was “Both.” In my mind, the second informs the first. Most of […]

I am a multi-faceted multi-tasker, like many who are reading this article. I call myself a professional hyphenate: Writer-speaker-social worker- minister-radio host-social worker-therapist-addictions counselor- BLISS coach-editor-author-reiki master-PR Goddess (and the list is growing). I used to say that I […]

Most people take showers to clean their bodies. I also take showers to ‘come clean’ which to me means, to wash off the gritty and grimy thoughts and emotions that cling to me as well. Imagine a beautiful, hot summer […]

What are some fears you have about letting go? Mine are about trusting that all is well regardless of appearances. No matter how many times I have done that over the years, it still feels like the first time. […]

The world could sure use of dose of Vitamin H. Seems like every day we are barraged with news of violence, poverty, death and destruction, Earth changes, fear mongering, hatred. It takes its toll on us physically, emotionally, mentally and […]

“We all want to live in accordance with our values. But have you ever actually articulated yours? Try it.”-Blair Glaser Imagine that at birth, you were given a mirror into which was poured beliefs, ideas, concepts and world-views; placed there […]

“If you’re 25 and you want to be a life coach? Here’s the thing…old soul and brilliant or not? You gotta actually live life a bit more before you can have anything really valuable or relevant to impart or share. […]

This morning, I had awakened before the dawn even remotely cracked open its metaphorical eyelid and even though I had shut mine a mere 6 or so hours prior, I was rarin’ to go. Gear packed, a general theme […]

How comfortable are you at accepting gifts, praise and compliments? Do you embrace them; holding them close to your heart or deflect like them as if they were arrows that jab you or chafe like an itchy sweater? For many […]

My friend Lew Doty is an uber-talented musician. His songs are nothing short of spiritual sustenance that make my heart dance. I was introduced to him back in the early 2000’s perhaps and have been hooked ever since. He is kind […]

I believe that we all have a hotline to Spirit because it is (in my view) the Source from whence we came. I never tell anyone what to believe spiritually since our relationship with the ‘God of our understanding’ is […]

I remember seeing another poster with a similar idea that had on it the names of famous inventors, proclaiming that each of them had the same 24 hours that were granted to everyone. The difference was all in how they […]

It’s been a rough winter here in the Philadelphia area as it has been throughout the country. Below freezing temps, gusty winds, downed wires, crystalline coating on trees limbs, power outages and many feet of snow at one fell swoop. Once upon […]

Yesterday, I was interviewed on the How To Be A Holy Rascal radio show hosted by my friend Rabbi Rami Shapiro on Unity.FM Radio. Rami and I have known each others since the early 1990’s. I sense that the Cosmic […]

Recently I was sitting in a room with folks who are healing from the insidious disease of addiction. Legal, emotional, financial and relational consequences faced them as a result. Some had been on the roller coaster ride for years with […]

What if you had a tool kit that when accessed, could help you build a more peaceful, loving and fun relationship with anyone in your life? Would you use it? Remember that you can have the shiniest tools in […]

What if you could don glasses that would help you see the world in a whole new light and realize that we are all connected heart to heart, regardless of circumstance? How would your relationships change? What wounds might […]

Every day as I go out into the world, I am aware of walking in the midst of people who carry with them all sorts of traumas and scars; some as fresh as that day, some decades old and others ancestral, […]

Getting in touch with lurking fears that have been hiding in the shadows. I sense that they are what have been keeping me from living my dreams and desires full out. They speak to me in slimy, sneering tones “The […]

When I was a kid, I remember my mother talking about people who were ‘fair weather friends'; only around in the good times and disappeared when the skies got cloudy. I was determined never to be that. I’ve done my […]

Last night I was watching one of my favorite movies, Mr. Holland’s Opus, starring Richard Dreyfus. For those who have never seen it, it is the story of a professional musician and composer who takes a job as a high […]

“You know, people come to therapy really for blessing. Not so much to fix what’s broken, but to get what’s broken blessed.” ~James Hillman I saw this quote this morning and it echoes with the truth of what I […]

I have long believed the concept that worry is a waste of imagination and yet my mind has often spun out of control with thoughts that threaten to sweep me away. I teach this, preach this, write about it, […]

As a double nickels (55 year old) menopausal woman, I have sometimes fallen prey to the memory blips and brain freezes that may characterize this stage of life. In the past, I had believed it was mythical. After all, […]

On October 13th, 2013, I reached the double nickels birthday as I crossed the threshold into my 56th spin ar0und the sun. When I approached my 50th, I was so excited to join AARP. Most people look at you […]

Cinema-therapy is one of my favorite ways to alter my mood. I especially enjoy what I think of as ‘message movies’, that have a deeper purpose beyond their pure entertainment value. Ever since I saw previews for the Spike Jonze […]

from Kissing Fish Facebook page FEAR= False Evidence Appearing Real FEAR= Forgetting Everything (is) All Right (Alright) When I saw this image on Facebook, I was delighted to contemplate the idea of putting my fears right out there in […]

This morning, I spoke at Awakened Heart which is a New Thought Church in Arden, Delaware. The topic was Pivotal Moments which is one of my new favorite things to talk about. I shared with the gathering who had braved the […]

Yesterday, when the clock’s hands moved from 11:59 pm to 12:00 midnight, the world changed forever. We mark linear time that way and notice the difference between one period and another. Last night, I ushered in 2014 with friends […]

“To see the world, things dangerous to come to, to see behind walls, to draw closer, to find each other and to feel. That this is the purpose of ‘Life’” –credo of Life Magazine These are the words stenciled […]

Many years ago, I heard the Hebrew phrase: Hakol Beseder, which I had understood to mean “All is in Divine Order”. I liked the sound of it and the sense of reassurance that went along with it, that God/Goddess […]

This is the final Friday of 2013. The hustle and bustle is reaching a peak, having moved through Thanksgiving with gratitude and food, Hanukkah with glowing lights and 8 sweet nights, Christmas with the birth of a guiding […]

Do you ever have moments when you feel as if you have done your part, planted seeds, earned your chops, prepared yourself for something for many years and are waiting (not particularly patiently) for your dream/vision to materialize? You look […]

Once upon a Christmas Eve… a woman went into ‘town'; a relatively small one, (called Doylestown) to meet up with a long time dear friend who had recently returned from her new home in Colorado. The reason for her friend’s […]

It is 7:44 a.m. on December 21, 2013. Fifteen years ago at this moment, I was in the midst of a maelstrom of emotion that threatened to suck me down into its swirling vortex. Sitting in the MRICU (Medical Respiratory […]

I recently read something written by my friend Lee McCormick who is a cowboy-shaman-writer-teacher and director of an addictions recovery program based in Tennessee called The Ranch. “Traditionally Addictions treatment has focused on clients recovering so they can fit back […]

photo: www.rawforbeauty.com This image jumped out at me this morning since it reflects an example that I use with the clients I counsel at an outpatient drug and alcohol treatment center. Many of them harbor thoughts that are damaging and […]

Most of my TV watching takes place while I am at the gym and today I was ‘moved’ as I was moving on the elliptical by something that was laid out before me on the screen. Scarlett Lewis was speaking […]

What happens when a “quantum physics musing, singing, songwriting, Work of Byron Katie facilitating, handywoman, minister, Truck Driving Mama” picks up a guitar, takes a deep breath and allows Spirit to use her to vocalize words of inspiration? The sophomore CD […]

What if you knew that you were exactly at the right place at the right time and people were looking for exactly what you have to offer? I have heard folks whine and complain about ‘being at the wrong place […]

Sitting crossed legged under the freshly changed turquoise cotton sheets. Just out of the shower in which I indulged in Trader Joe’s citrus shampoo, conditioner and body wash to ease away the remnants of the lesions from the shingles […]

“On this day of your life, Edie, I believe God wants you to know……that impatience will get you nowhere, fast. If you insist on being in a hurry, you’ll move very quickly — and often get nowhere. Take a breath. […]

The Door to Joy The door to joy stands always open to usher through each weary soul Whose feet have traversed the rocky path, sometimes stumbling Wondering if they will ever arrive or be destined to travel endlessly A […]

Since I’m from Philly, where people talk like that, I invite you to take time today to focus on ‘grattytood’ (gratitude),because what we think about and thank about, we bring about. Grateful people are happier people who can be a […]

At the end of awesome weekend filled with spiritual sustenance, I am listening to folk- rock queen- Lucinda Williams belting out Get Right With God in which she goes through a slew of deprivations and painful practices that some […]

Image by Peregrine Blue (from Everystock Photo) I remember the first time I heard this poem in the form of a song. I was an idealistic teenager with many desires and dreams. A tree-hugging hippie who wanted to trust that […]

I pride myself on knowing lots of words. From the time I was a child, they fascinated me. My mother used to say that I “began speaking at 6 months and haven’t stopped since.” She was right about that. […]

At our weekly staff meeting at the drug and alcohol outpatient program where I work, one of my co-workers named Glenn who I consider a wise elder in the field of recovery, reads a dose of inspiration for us from […]

Over the past few years, I have enjoyed watching videos by a collective of musicians that form Playing For Change which aims to bring about transformation one note at a time. A roving film crew travels the world over and records […]

This past weekend, I sat back and listened as my friend Tiffany Rae Reid shared her well earned wisdom at Circle of Miracles, which is one of my spiritual communities and where I spend most of my Sunday mornings. […]

What does bravery mean to you? Does it indicate a willingness to dive off a stable cliff into the ocean at precisely the right moment so as not to crack open your skull or jump from a perfectly good airplane, […]

Curly hair tumbled about and mischievous gleam in his eyes,exemplifying the energy with artist, author, interviewer and conscious entrepreneur, Gene-Manuel Whirling lives his life. I have been delighted to know this man for the past year or so, […]

Our biological hearts are such complex organs; a series of veins, arteries, muscles, ventricles, pathways for blood to traverse. It is also thought of as ‘the seat of the soul,’ and the place from whence our emotions emerge. Love, […]

Inspiration arrives at any given moment, while engaged in the most mundane tasks. This morning while I was transferring laundry from the washer to the dryer, the words “Detach with love” echoed in my ears. Knowing exactly what that […]

On this chilly Fall-in-beautiful-Bucks County, PA morning, I am pondering the way of my life and the path it is taking; sometimes meandering and winding, sometimes certain and focused on where I want to go. I still consider whether […]

(artist unknown at the moment, but will include the name once I identify her or him) This weekend, I attended a retreat that encouraged me to stretch all kinds of comfort zones, ‘going to my edge’, dropping façade and worn out […]

Tonight I interviewed one of my favorite writers- Dan Millman and his daughter Sierra Prasada who co-authored the book The Creative Compass: Writing Your Way From Inspiration To Publication on my radio show called It’s All About Relationships on […]

Most people who know me would be more likely to say the opposite, that my cells and the bio-body that contains them are so busy that it would be hard to determine which moves at a more rapid pace. I […]

Lately I have risen in love with the words and ideas of a woman whose work is now in the spotlight; sister Social Worker and human researcher Brene Brown. I was introduced to her profound teachings on the now ubiquitous TED talk […]

What if video cameras could be used to eaves-watch and record not just crimes, but acts of love and kindness? Imagine what they would see with their ‘electric eyes’. I had the delight of waking up to a video this […]

A metaphor for life that I contemplate often is what I call The Hansel and Gretel Breadcrumb Trail. I gaze over my shoulder and see where the little crumbles have landed and follow them backward to take note of the […]

Tonight as I was facilitating a support group at the drug and alcohol outpatient program where I work as a therapist, we were exploring the concept of surrender. Many of the 12 steps that are the foundation of AA […]

Last night I was speaking with my talented singer songwriter friend Robin Renee and found myself musing about a phenom that sometimes feels like it plagues me, or at the very least is a source of frustration. I call it […]

What’s your comfort zone? As a child, geographically, it was my house and then my backyard, then my neighborhood and town. As I became a teenager, it expanded outward to the more distant homes of friends and then college and a […]

Sharon Pearl is a Spiritual Director who has chosen to act as a guide for people who are wanting to open to the Divine in their lives. She serves people of various faith traditions, although her own path is rooted […]

Most who know me are aware that writing is my passion, bliss, life blood, heart beat and sanity. It is the primary way that I communicate with world. It is also my means of retaining memory of what has happened […]

This morning, I was listening to a replay of an interview between host Cindy Kubica and her guest, psychic Tori Hartman. They were speaking about multi-generational agreements; some spoken and some left unsaid but powerfully present nonetheless. They may take […]

One of my favorite things to do is set intention. It is my initial thought each morning even before my feet touch the carpeting to ‘have extraordinary experiences and connect with amazing people.’ Every day I do. Like many […]

This morning, I read an article written by a friend who I have not met face to face, although through another soul connection, we have been introduced. Her name is Janet Auty-Carlisle and like me, is a writer and […]

Gratitude is something that I experience and express all throughout my day. Growing up, my parents would remind my sister and me to say ‘thank you’ whenever something was given to us. Back then, it felt like a formality, […]

“When we surrender to God, we surrender to something bigger than ourselves — to a universe that knows what it’s doing. When we stop trying to control events, they fall into a natural order, an order that works. We’re […]

I am writing this entry on the morning of Yom Kippur, as a bird is sweetly serenading and the sun-dancing leaves are casting patterns on my curtains. Growly stomach and slight headache since having a light dinner last night. […]

Tracie Nichols and I have traveled in the same circles for many years, dancing into each other’s lives. When we hung out for a bit last weekend, and I learned more about this Renaissance Woman whose motto Soul Care From […]

Heard this beautiful song tonight by India.Arie and it sweetly serenaded me with the chant: I am light, I am light, I am light, I am light….like a mantra that flowed through my veins, nourishing me body, mind and […]

“Is love not meant to be expressed in every second that you are breathing the breath of Life itself?”-Judith Kusel This line, penned by a South African author, grabbed me by the heart and wasn’t about to let go […]

Why Do We Write What We Do?A come clean. When recently reading an artist friend's post about not being responsible for how her art is viewed or perceived, it occurred to me that often I write with the intention of evoking certain responses in the reader. Like all ...

Pleasurable and EffortlessFor much of my life, I have resisted struggling. I know that sounds weird, since on some level, resistance IS struggle. Efforting. Pushing against what is, rather than accepting it. I have often denied that some things are just plain difficult, ...

Facing Life-A Ten Week Journey- Week SevenI entered into the seventh week of treatment with Debra/Deva Troy in the modality called Facial Reflex Therapy designed by Lone Sorensen . She has found that when applied, it has assisted with balancing the various biological systems and ...

To Those We TreasureAwake, truly awake and well rested after a weekend that was filled with laughter and joy, music, friends, dancing, singing, healthy eating and a power nap at the end of a long, sun streaming down day. On Friday night, so began one of my ...

Facing Life-A Ten Week Journey- Week SixLately I've been letting emotions flow, and along with them, have come insights that had lay dormant for years. This session was overseen by Debra/Deva Troy 's teacher Lynn Diehl for the sixth of ten Facial Reflex Therapy visits. This ...

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About The Bliss Blog

The Bliss Blog is a delicious nibble of ideas that can help you transform your life from ordinary into truly extraordinary. You’ll find 'portable life skills' that can be put to use immediately in all aspects life--enhancing relationships, improving communication, elevating self esteem, loving the man or woman in the mirror, taking more responsibility for life choices and experiencing more pleasure. The dictionary says bliss is “extreme happiness, ecstasy, spiritual joy” It is “seventh heaven” and “walking on air.” This blog will help you have a bliss-filled life and function in a grounded way.

About the Author

Edie Weinstein, MSW, LSW
Rev. Edie Weinstein, MSW, LSW is a Renaissance Woman and Bliss Mistress who delights in inviting people to live rich, full, juicy lives. Edie is the host of the Blog Talk Radio show called It's All About Relationships each Thursday night from 8-9 pm on Vivid Life Radio www.vividlife.me.» Posts by Edie Weinstein, MSW, LSW